Refrigeration apparatus



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 v H. A. PHILLIPS REFRIGERATION APPARATUS Filed Nov. 12. 1929 oct. 25, 1932.

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H. A. PHILLIPS REFRIGERATION APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 l NT'R a @d i lmgw/ //S ATTORNEYS Filed Nov. 12, 1929 Oct. 25, 1932. H. A. PHlLLlPs 1,884,202

REFRIGERATION APPARATUS l Filed Nov. 12. 1929 s sheets-sheet 5 IN ENTOR H/J ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 25, 1932 PATENT OFFICE lHARRYA. PHILLIPS, OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS BEFRIGEBATION APPARATUS Application mea November 12, 1929. serial No. 406,563.

This invention relates to refrigeration apparatus and more particularly to refrigeration units especially adapted to utilize a re- 1figerating medium, such as ammonia or the It is the object of this invention to provide an efticient'refrigeration unit especially suitable for the refrigeration of meat coolers and for other industrial purposes. My invention utilizes the principles of the flooded refrigeration system. `The use of the Hooded system insures efficientheat transfer from all surfaces due to t-he fact that the major portion of all refrigerating surfaces are in direct contact with liquid refrigerant. and all refrigerating surfaces are effective during-A tlie operating period. Furthermore, with such a system more heat is absorbed by the refrigerant during the non-operating period than is the case with refrigeration apparatus not employing the Hooded systenn A further object of this invention is the provision of an improved refrigeration unit construction of such a nature that the apparatus may be manufactured in sectional form. In other Words, it is an obect of my invention to provide a construction which may be readily standardized in the form of sectional units which may "be readily attached, one to another, forthe purpose of buildingV up a composite refrigeration system of any desired capacity. In general, this invention comprises liquid and gas headers, expansion units communicatin with these headers, a distribution chain er also communicating with the headers and a float chamber Withinfthe distribution chamber for controlling an inlet valve for the distributionchamber so as to maintain a predetermined liquid level in the apparatus. I prefer to locate the Valve `ata point remote from the float and in this way avoid erratic operation of the float due to the action of such refrigerant as may be convert-,

ed into a gaseous state upon ,passing through the valve. In addition, Iprefer to enclose the float in a chamber Within the distribu- `tion chamber whereby gaseous refrigerant is prevented from entering the oat chamber and the liquid refrigerant in the float cha'mber is effectively protected againstheat absorption. The distribution chamber not only protects the float chamber against heat absorption, but acts as a by-pass connection for passing gaseous refrigerant from the inlet valve and the liquid headers around the expansion units and to the gas headers. Further by-pass connect-ions may also be provided between the liquid and the gas headers. Tliesuccessful and efficient operation of a refrigeration system depends in a large measure upon the degree to which disturbing conditions in the system may be eliminated, and I lhave found that by keeping gaseous refrigerant, which is formed in the liquid headerl or at the inlet valve, from coming into close proximity to'the float Aand from entering the expansion units, and by protecting .the lioat chamber against heat absorption, ecient and stable operationv of the apparatus can be effected. The Valve mechanism for controlling the admission ofrefrigerant to the distribution chamber is preferably located at right angles to the headers in order to facilitate the connection of addition header sections to .the unit Whenever this may be desired, and I prefer to provide tli'e valve with some conveniently located exposed adjusting device which makes it possible to adjust-the valve Without either shutting down the system.v or in any Way interfering With its continued operation.

The various objects and advantages of my invention will be more apparent upon con: sidering the following detailed description of certain embodiments thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. f In the drawmgs;

Figure l is a vertical'sectional view of an apparatus embodying my invention; l. Fig'. 2 is'a sectional side View of the distribution chamber employed in the apparatus of Fig. l; Y

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of one of the eX- pansion units taken along the line 3-3 of 95 Fig. 4; j A Fig. 4' is "an end view vof the apparatus shown in Fig. l; A

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1: i

Fig. 6 is a vertical section of a modifiedA form of apparatus embodying my invention; and

Fig. 7 is an end view of the appargtusL shown in Fig. 6.

The embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 through 5, comprises generally a plurality of gas headers 1 and a plurality of liquid headers 2 communicating respectively with the upper and lower portions of a distribution chamber generally indicated vat D, and a plurality of expansion units 4 f izing pipes 32 which serve to conduct gaseous v refrigerant from the liquid headers 2 directly to the gas headers, thus eliminating the necessity kof having gaseous refrigerant,

formed in the liquid headers, pass throughthe expansion units. It will be understood that the number of expansion units 4 connected between the gas and liquid headers 1 and 2 may be varied and that thesel units may extend from both sides of the headers, if desired.

Although the invention, in its broader aspects, isgnot in any Way limited to the particular type of expansion units employed, I prefer in certain cases'to use units of the general form illustrated in Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 5. As shown in Fi s. 3, 4 and 5, these units comprise parallel horlzontal gas and liquid pipes 7 and 8 connected at intervals by integral vertical passages 9 having laterally extending heat absorbinfgnns 10 thereon. Further, heat absorbing s 11 are preferably provided in the spaces between adjacent vertical passages 9, as clearly shown in Fi 4. This form of exn pansion o r heat absorbing ,unit facilitates the passage of bubbles of gaseous refrigerant through `the liquid refrigerant and renders the operation o the system more efficient because there is no tendency to form gas pockets Referring now more particularly` tothe y distribution chamber D, which forms an imlpprtant feature of my invention, this chamr may take any suitable form, and as shown, comprises an outer container 12 of substantially circular section, provided with Voppo-v f,

' sitely disposed flanged inlet and outlet sages 13 and 14 near its lower and upper 'ends respectively.l The passages 13 and 14 are respectively detachably connected to the several liquidand gas headers 2 andl by suitable means. Af vertical float 'chamber 5 of suitable section is formed integrally with or suitably secured within the outer container 12, the walls of the float chamber 5 and the outer container 12 being spaced apart to form a refrigerant chamber 15 which is in communication with the gas' and liquid headers 1 and 2 asshown. The major portion of the float chamber 5 is entirely surrounded nates in a flanged port 16 having a removable closure 17 suitably secured thereto. The port 16 gives access to the interior of the float chamber 5 without necessitating the dismounting of the distribution chamber D. The float 6 may be of any suitable construction and is preferabl mounted for free vertical movement wit in the chamber 5 on guide rod 18 which extends through a guide 19 at the top of the chamber 5. The float 6 is pivotally connected by a rod 20 extending from the lower end thereof to a valve actuating lever 21 which side opening 22 near t e lower end of the loat chamber 5, as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

passes out through a sol An outlet port 0 is provided near the upper i device D at a point near its lower end, and' the control valve V is suitably connectedy in communication with this passage as shown in Fig. 2. The inlet passage 23 preferablyextends laterally from the device Din a direction at right angles to the headers 1 and 2 as shown in Fig. 5. .The valve actuating lever 21 extends through the inlet passage 23 and is pivotally mounted on a support 24 within the valve chamber. The valve mechanism, generally indicated at V, may be of any or'- dinary construction, but I prefer to provide this mechanism with' some means of adjustment whereby 4the valve may be adjusted without shutting down the system, or 1n any way interfering with its' continued operation. As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the valve mechanism com rises a valve seat 25 anda valve member or p ug 26 held against the 'seat 25 by a spring 27. The spring tension ma be adjusted by means' of a screw threade rod 28 which is provided with a lstem projected through the upper portion of the valve housing 29. This exposed stem may be adjusted as desired for the urpose way e operation of the valve may be altered to suit` varying conditions. By regulating the valve, 1t is possible to change the level of the liquid in the apparatus. The lever 21, under the control of the float l6, actuates the-valve stem 30 to regulate the size of the valve opening. Liquid refrigerant, such as liquid ammonia, may be introduced into the valve housing through the inlet 31, and from of reilating the spring tension an in thisv auf the valve housing, the refrigerant passes throughthe inlet passage 23 into the refrigerant chamber 15. y

The above described construction and arrangement of the valve mechanism and the distribution chamber are such that any gaseous refrigerant formed at the valve or withinthe liquid headers 2 passes directly upward through the refrigerant chamber 15 and thus 'does not interfere with the stable operation of the ioat 6. Further, since the ioat chamber '5 is enclosed within the chamber 15, which is filled with liquid and gaseous refrigerant, the liquid refri erant within the float chamber is effective protected or insulated against heat absorptlon, and the possibility of gasification within the float chamber is thereby minimized. The refrigerant chamber 15 acts as a by-pass or equalization passage between the liquid headers '2 and the gas headers 1, and cooperates with the by-pass pipes 32 in conducting aseous refrigerant from the'liquid headers irectly lto the gas headers.

A modification of the invention wherein coils are employed as expanslon units has been `shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The coils 33 are preferably constructed in such a manner that the major portion of each coil extends at an angle to Sthe horizontal, as bestillustrated in Fig. 7. passage of bubbles of gaseous refrigerant through theliquid refrigerant in the coils and renders the operation of the system more efficient because there is no tendency for gas pockets to form in the coils. Where the coils consist of a series of oblong or rectangular loops, it is satisfactory to arrange toshort bends in a substantially horizontal position,`

with the intermediate connecting portions or long sides of the loops, extending at an angle to the horizontal.

It will be apparent that the refrigeration unit of my invention is readily adaptable to variations in size and shape. Thus the headers 1 and 2 on one side of the distribution chamber D, together with the expansion units connected thereto, may be omitted, and the headers may be sectionalized and extended as desired in either direction from the distribution chamber. It will be understood that valve mechanism-V and the {ioat 6. forcontrolling the same will serve to regulate the supply of refrigerant to all parts of the unit regardless` of the number or arran,. ;ement-of the sections employed.

From the foregoing description, it will be understood that m invention may be utilized in the form o a compact refrigeration unit capable of enlargement andv change in shape bythe addition or removal of the various sections, the several parts being constructed and arranged in a manner to utilize a refrigerant, such as ammonia, to the best advantage. M y invention is not lim- VThis form of coil facilitates the ited to the details of construction illustrated or described, but includes such modifications thereof as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Means for controlling the admission of liquid refrigerant to a refrigeration unit comprising a float chamber, a float within said oat chamber, a liquid refrigerant chamber surrounding said float chamber for protecting the liquid refrigerant in said oat chamber against heat absorption and a valve controlled by said float for admitting liquid refrigerant to said refrigerant chamber at a point outside of and remote from said float chamber.'

2. Means for controlling the admission of liquid refrigerant to a refrigeration unit comprising a liquid refrigerant lchamber communicatingwith the refrigeration unit, a

ant chamber, a float chamber within said re! frigerant chamber and communicating therewith, a float in said float chamber for controlling said Valve and a port in said float chamber communicating with the exterior 0f said refrigerant chamber for permitting access to said float. 4

4. A refrigeration unit comprising a liquid header, a gas header, at least one expansion unit communicating with said headers, a refrigerant chamber communicating with said headers and forming a. by-pass around said expansion unit, a valve for admitting liquid refrigerant directly to said refrigerant chamber, a float within said refrigerant chamber r for controlling said Valve, and means in said:

refrigerant chamber between said valve and,

said oat for protecting -said fioat against bubbles of gaseous refrigerant formed at said valve.

5. A refrigeration unit comprising a liquid header, a gas header, at least one expansion unit communicating with said headers, arefrigerant chamber communicating with said headers and forming a by-pass around said expansion unit, at least one pipe communicating with said headers and forming an additional by-pass around said expansion unit, a Valve for admitting liquid refrigerant tosaid refrigerant chamber, a float within said refrigerant chamber for controlling said valve and a partition within said refrigerant cham ber surrounding said float and disposed hetween said iloat and said valve. y 6. A refrigeration unit comprising a sub-- stantially horizontal liquid header, a substantially horizontal gas header, an'expansion unit communicating with said headers, a substantially vertical refrigerant chamber communicating withl said headers, a valve for admitting liquid refrigerant to said refrigerant chamber adjacent the lower end thereof, a oat within said ioatvchamber for controlling said valve, and means surrounding said float and'disposed between said float and said valve for preventing the agitation thereof by gaseous refrigerant in said refrigerant chamber.

7. A refrigeration unit comprising a liquid l header, a gas header, an expansion unit communicating with said headers, a refrigerant chamber communicating with said headers, a valve for admitting liquid refrigerant to said refrigerant chamber, a Hoat chamber extending within. said refrigerant 'chamber and communicating therewith, said float chamber havinga portion thereof extending exteriorly of said refrigerant chamber, a float in said float chamber for controlling said valve and a port in the portion of said float chamber exterior to said refrigerant chamber for permitting access to said float.

8. A refrigeration unit comprising a distribution chamber including liquid level control means, a plurality of refrigerant headers communicating with said distribution chamber and extending from opposite sides thereof, a plurality of expansion units communieating with said headers, inlet means for admitting liquid refrigerant to said distribu- 40 tion chamber and outlet means for conducting gaseous refrigerant away from said disp tribution chamber, said inlet and outlet means being disposed at substantially right angles to said headers.

4,5 In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

HARRY A. PHILLIPS. 

